nerve conduction
 

I'm booked to have a nerve conduction study done at the hospital in several weeks. I wondered if other people have had this kind of test. I'm anxious about it as a friend of mine had the same test several years ago and said it was agony. She's ex-military and not someone to be phased by pain. It was so painful to her that she screamed and insisted the test be stopped immediately.

I'm well aware that everyone has different responses to various medical procedures and maybe for whatever reason it was particularly painful for her. In addition to my concern about that I'm worried it might trigger a big kick back later. I have very severe neuropathy and my body does not follow the normal patterns for many people experiencing this type of pain. The medical people spend a lot of time puzzling over what's happening for me and the way something pretty minor can result in debilitating pain.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

Don't stress, it's certainly not my idea of a fun time but it's certainly not painful. You get "zapped" which feels quite uncomfortable, but it's soon over and none the worse for wear. Even the needle studies aren't that bad. I too have unusual, undefined & undiagnosed neuropathy and have NC studies every few months. I've certainly never felt like screaming! When you get home have some paracetamol or pain med of choice if you feel you need to.

Good luck!

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It hurt me. I could deal with it though. The pain was probably worse for me because the neuropathy is in my skin and muscles all over my body.
I had to have two because one showed nerve impingement. Anyway, between the EMG, the spinal tap, the 2.5 hour MRI, and the lip biopsy, I'd do the EMG every time instead.

I've had 2 and they were definitely not comfortable but also not unbearable. I was very nervous so I talked to my neuro and he wrote a one dose prescription for valium the second time and I barely remember the procedure (I am def. a light weight when it comes to medicating though lol) - so if you are very nervous that could be an option

I had 3 done early on and it's really nothing, especially compared to what I have to live with on a daily basis. Just some discomfort from the poking and zapping that basically disappeared as soon as the test was done. Good luck!

I had 3 of them, the last one was really long and excessive. I actually find needle part to be less annoying, it hurts if they get too close to the nerve but other than that not really.
Zapping is a bit annoying, but seriously there are many kind of worst pain you can experience. If you even knocked yourself hard with your elbow on some hard surface that's way worst kind of pain.

I've had 4 of them, what I've learned is it is a very subjective test, in regard to the person administering the test itself.

The 3rd & 4th were done by the same Dr's so they were able to compare my results to my previous results. This showed what changed from the previous time.

Its not my favorite thing, but if it helps to prove something and help then you got to do what you got to do.

Good Luck

I've had two series on my legs, and two on my arms.

They are not agony for me.

The sensations are mostly surprising in nature. Not something that you ordinarily experience. Closest perhaps to a light electrical shock from lamp or other small appliance.

I think we are used to fearing those shocks, as we should. But this conduction study is carefully calibrated and cannot damage you. But a light current is sent through each major nerve, from one end to the other, to see if the nerve is working. If the nerve is damaged the conduction is either very slow or non existent.

In addition a thin needle is used to test the responsiveness of your muscles. That is usually done after the nerve conduction part of the test.

you will lie on your stomach, and that makes you feel rather vulnerable.

I have been through so many tests i my lifetime, and so many 'procedures' often bizarre and done without an anesthetic and since I cannot tolerate the codeine based drugs (opioids) I am sent home from surgery with Tylenol.

Relax, think of sunshine and seagulls......there is nothing to fear.

Hugs, ElaineD

My right thigh is 80% Numb, what would a nerve conduction test prove. Why is it needed. I've just learned to live with this pretty dead nerve issue. Been using some acupuncture needles in the numb areas but don't know if it will do any help to restore nerves.

I had heard it was horrible too
 

And unfortunately I didn't have this group to ask. I was pretty tense when I got there but the technician was kind and told me exactly what to expect. In a few spots it was a bit uncomfortable and it others it was nothing. I think it sounds much worse when you read about it then it actually is. :hug:

I had them done and it did not feel any worse than when your leg falls "asleep" because you've been sitting on it in a weird way...you know those pins and needles you feel when the leg is coming back to normal....that is all it felt like to me. I had heard horror stories too but, I thought it was much easier than expected.

Just keep in mind, the doctor is right next to you, performing the test and if you become too uncomfortable, you just tell them and they will stop immediately. Please don't worry about it. Believe me, the stress is worse than the test.
My best,
D.

I have had two by two different practitioners. I would describe both as uncomfortable with painful moments, but they were an important diagnostic tool that identified my long fiber neuropathy.

While I am not lining up for one if my neuologist wanted to do a follow up compare to the one from a year and a half ago I would do so. He offered to slow down the pace if it I needed breaks between locations, though I do not recall the details of my first test as well.

I was sore afterward, but as stated it was a useful test despite that and as others have stated, there is the daily discomfort and pain dealt with. If the practitioner is well practiced I don't think it should cause long term issues, but of course results may vary.

Best of luck.

For my first nerve conduction, I was fairly nervous not knowing what exactly to expect and being told about it from various sources only heightened my concerns. Turned out to be MUCH easier than I had anticipated. The "zaps" are quick and so is the minimal discomfort from them.

When I go into a grocery store and touch the handle on the freezer door, I get shocked. THAT is actually worse then the NCS test.

Each person will have a different opinion on the discomfort from the test and is based upon their own physical conditions and also their mindset. I was expecting something horrific, well not quite, but I was expecting it to be painful and was pleasantly surprised that it was nothing like I expected. MUCH better. Like I said, I would rather the zap from an NCS than from the refrigerator or freezer case at the grocery, just trying to get some milk. During the winter months, I get zapped all the time just touching items in my own home and especially touching my car. These are much worse than the NCS.

And if you are already having any ZAPS from your condition, you have already experienced worse than the test.

You did not mention if you were to have the EMG also that is usually done. That is when they insert needles into your muscles. If you have an aversion to needles, then you may find it a bit unsettling. I did not have the EMG with my first NCS but I did on subsequent tests.

Needles do not bother me and they are sooooo tiny, I did not feel them being inserted at all except for one and that one WAS VERY painful. It was a very deep muscle and the doc had trouble getting it positioned properly. If not for that ONE needle, it was easier and less discomfort than the NCS.

Don't let yourself get too worked up about it. The unknown is frightening but hopefully, you will not have a bad experience. Some do and some don't. Let's hope you are in the category that finds it much better than anticipated as I did.

Now if I could just find someone to get my milk out of the case at the grocery and open my car door in the winter and touch my appliances at home when the weather turns cold, I would be a very happy person. I get enough ZAPS from my neuropathy, I don't need the added zaps from touching things.

PS As another poster mentioned. Some of it depends upon the person performing the test. I had different neurologists for subsequent testing and it can make a difference in the patient's comfort.

Good point on the NCS vs EMG, but even so I'd get another one done in a heart beat if the neurologist thought it were a good idea.

Hey thanks guys. I really appreciate all your feedback - it's made me feel a lot less nervous than I have been. Please be aware that if I find it agonising you're ALL going to be in trouble!! Big trouble! ha, ha. (:

It may not "prove" anything. But it does provide evidence as to where the issues are located. They may be able to tell from the F-Stop values where the signal breaks down and if it's nodes vs axons etc.

I've never found it painful. Just shocking. I get another one done in a few weeks myself . :p

Thanks and I know where the nerve damage comes from, Hip Surgery. So I never went to neurologist etc as what can they do? Re-grow the nerves, I don't think so. My common sense tells me that...but many talk the nerve test and I wonder if I'm missing something.

I've accepted this as fighting it doesn't bring back nerves. So I just go on and massage the area, use topicals etc and now using some acupuncture but not a lot of hope that the needles will bring back the nerves. Thanks again for reply to my question Rancar. C

Oops
 

Glad for the anonymity on NT so I don't get into BIG trouble. :D

I had to laugh. That was so cute. Let's hope that the positive responses you got in this thread regarding the test prove to be the case for YOU and that we are not in big trouble.

Wishing you an easy test and that the results are informative and helpful.

The real fear is not the possibility of pain, but the fear of an unknown experience. Once the test is behind you, then you can judge for yourself how it was for YOU. Hope you will be posting to someone else in the future that YOU found it OK.

LOVED your post.

i have had 8 emg/ncs's since 2003on my feet, legs, hands, arms andlower back. although i wouldnt do the tests for enjoyment, they are not that bad and i wouldnt hesitate to do another. as a matter of fact i am doing just that very soon as part of a voluntary study. there are some moments of discomfort but aree of very short duration in the overall test and certainly they were bareable for me. its not something i worry about before doing the test.

I guess I don't get why they are done except what Rancar said...do they help or what. Do they help with pain? I just talked to my friend who has had foot neuropathy for going on 20 yrs and she's never had any of these tests. She said she went to a seminar that lectured on these but she never did them. Her neuropathy is from statins. I've talked about her here. Like she and I agree, once the nerves are dead what will bring them back if anything. She took gabapentin for years but off that drug. Taking grape seed ex for some yrs now and she feels improvement. She was telling me someone told her about lemongrass and nerve pain. She bought some lemongrass and will make tea from it. There is lemongrass essential oils.

I've talked about what got rid of the 5 yrs of burn for me, inosine and sphingolin taking both for 3 months. Burn has not returned...thank goodness.

The NCS and EMG are diagnostic tests. They are not a "treatment" and will do nothing to alleviate pain. The purpose is to help determine the condition of the nerves signals. It is then the job of the doctor to interpret the test results and what those results indicate for diagnosis and treatment of the patient.